A cesarean section is one of the many methods of delivery. It can also be referred to as a C-section. Many mothers are afraid of having them or they don’t know enough about them. Most babies are delivered from this method in emergencies. Other cases involve the mother requesting to have a C-section. In this blog I intend to inform readers about, why C-sections are required, what takes place during a C-section, and the risks associated with having them.
Why a Cesarean??
There are many reasons why a C-section is the chosen method of delivery. Some mothers know before it’s time to deliver that they must have a C-section. Others are required to have one because a vaginal delivery poses risks to the mother or the baby. I want to inform readers about a few of these instances. Having a repeat C-section is one of the most common reasons for delivering through a cesarean. A placental abruption is a separation between the uterine lining and the placenta (“Reasons for a cesarean birth,” 2006). The separation causes minimal bleeding to severe bleeding. If there is not an adequate amount of oxygen flow to the baby, he or she may go into fetal distress. If this happens, an emergency C-section will be performed (“Reasons for…,” 2006). Another factor in determining the method of delivery is dilation progression. Some mothers do not dilate after reaching a certain number of centimeters. If a mother is carrying a disease, this method lessens the chance of a baby being exposed to it when entering the birth canal (“Reasons for…,” 2006). Birth defects and multiple births are other situations that can result in having a cesarean section.
What Happens?
During a C-section, babies are delivered through a surgical incision in the uterus rather than through the vaginal canal (“Giving birth by cesarean section,” 2011). Before the process is started the anesthesiologist will administer either an epidural or a spinal block to insure that the mother is numbed from the waist down. Most mothers remain awake throughout the entire process, unless they are receiving an emergency C-section. During an emergency section the mother will most likely be put to sleep until the procedure is over because there is not enough time to administer pain medications (“What happens during the cesarean section procedure,” n.d.). Next, a catheter is inserted into the bladder to drain the urine during the procedure. The operating staff then places a screen across the abdomen so that the patient won’t have to watch what is occurring, unless she wishes to (“What happens during…,”n.d.). The doctor will then make a horizontal or vertical incision in the uterus. Once the amniotic fluids are suctioned away, the baby is removed from the uterus.
Good or bad???
C-sections carry risks and complications like any other surgical procedure (“Risks,” 2011). Compared to a vaginal delivery, more blood may be lost. If blood levels drop then a transfusion may be required. Also, the chances of developing blood clots are greater when receiving a C-section rather than delivering vaginally. Another risk would be getting a serious infection in or around the wound (“Risks,” 2011). C-sections are becoming much safer around the world. New technology methods have resulted in a lot more benefits. A vaginal delivery can take hours, but a cesarean section can be over within minutes (“The benefits of a cesarean section delivery,” 2012). It’s an easier method for a mother who is concerned or doesn’t want to be in labor for a long period of time. Another benefit would be having the option to schedule the delivery rather than waiting on the process to start itself.
Cesarean sections are becoming more and more popular across the world. The process itself can be very frightening for a mother who doesn’t know much about them. Although C-sections are usually products of an emergency, they can be scheduled.
Cesarean Sections, is an educational video that provides general information about C-sectiions.
This next image is a Worlde that I created using a paragraph from my blog. The words that i elaborated on the most, are the more visible words in the picture.
The following video, http://local.ratemds.com/Cesarean_Section_Jackson_MS-p1571866-Jackson_MS.html
http://www.babycenter.com/2_video_3656510.bc, is am actual Cesarean Section. It does contain some graphic images.
This next video is an animoto that I created. The images tell a story about the steps that lead up to the delivery of the baby.
References
Giving birth by cesarean section. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.babycenter.com/0_giving-birth-by-cesarean-section_160.bc
Reasons for a cesarean birth. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/reasonsforacesarean.html
Risks. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/c-section/MY00214/DSECTION=risks
The benefits of having a cesarean section delivery. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.thepregnancyzone.com/labor-delivery/the-benefits-of-a-cesarean-section-delivery/
What happens during the cesarean section procedure. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/labor-and-delivery/cesarean-section/what-happens-when-you-have-one.aspx
